Why doesn't my iPhone have a solid-state battery yet? I found out (and can't even be mad)

Source: ZDNet

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Solid‑state batteries have significant advantages over lithium‑ion.
• The top advantages are increased safety and improved lifespan.
• The technology isn’t ready for the billions of batteries the industry needs.

The other day I reviewed a power bank with a solid‑state battery at its core, rather than a lithium‑ion battery. Solid‑state batteries offer higher energy density, better safety, and a longer lifespan. To demonstrate the safety profile, I opened the power bank and stabbed a screwdriver into a fully charged cell; apart from a few wisps of smoke, nothing happened.

Also: I tested a solid‑state portable battery for a week – now lithium‑ion feels old school

So, why aren’t our iPhones and other gadgets powered by solid‑state batteries?

Solid‑state versus lithium‑ion

Solid‑state batteries are next‑generation rechargeable cells that use solid electrolytes (the material that carries charge between the anode and cathode) instead of the liquid or gel electrolytes found in lithium‑ion batteries.

• Lithium‑ion electrolytes are lithium salts dissolved in flammable organic solvents.
• Solid‑state electrolytes are dry ceramics, which are non‑flammable, safer, and enable much higher energy densities.

In addition, solid‑state cells can charge faster than comparable lithium‑ion cells and support more recharge cycles.

In almost every way, solid‑state beats lithium‑ion.

Billions of batteries every year

The main obstacle is cost. Lithium‑ion production has been refined over 30 years, delivering billions of cells annually.

• Apple alone sold close to 250 million iPhones last year, each needing a cheap, reliable battery.
• The global smartphone market was roughly 1.25 billion–1.6 billion units, and that figure grows when you add laptops, earbuds, smartwatches, power banks, e‑cigarettes, and electric vehicles (which contain thousands of 18650 or 21700 cells per pack).

The supply chain for solid‑state batteries is nowhere near ready for that volume. Manufacturing solid‑state cells is more complex, leading to lower yields. They are also more sensitive to vibration and tend to swell slightly during use—both undesirable traits for consumer electronics.

Because of these yield issues, solid‑state batteries are currently four to eight times more expensive than comparable lithium‑ion cells.

Also: Why phone and laptop batteries explode – and 6 ways to protect yourself

What’s the ETA for large‑scale production?

Industry insiders say large‑scale production of solid‑state batteries is expected by the early 2030s. Until then, lithium‑ion remains the dominant technology because it already meets safety, speed, and lifespan requirements at a price point the market can bear. Only when solid‑state manufacturing scales up and costs drop will we likely see a shift away from lithium‑ion.